Mayor's Hope Journal

We Can Make the Future Better Only by Remembering the Past and Correcting our Mistakes[Mayor Park Won Soon’s Hope Journal 636]

05/14/2015SMG1216

“In J’accuse, the French writer Emile Zola said: ‘By all I have now, by the name I have made for myself, by my works which have helped expand French literature, I swear that Dreyfus is innocent. Dreyfus is innocent. I stake my life on it—my honor.’”

These words are from the speech I gave at the concert, held on October 9, 2012, for the speedy recovery of Kang Gi-hun and to learn the truth about his case. And my words have now proven to be true, historically and legally.

The weight of the last 24 years has turneda robust young man into a shadow of his former self, weak and ill,as he fought against the state violence and fabrication of his case.It was such a brutally long ordeal to endure with only the words “Justice will prevail” as comfort.How can he get those 24 years back?

Even now, we should seek out the truth, make those responsible apologize for what they did, and make sure no one else is made a victim of the state authority.We can make our future better only by remembering the past and correcting our mistakes.

I wish for the speedy recovery of Mr. Kang Gi-hun,who endured so much pain and loneliness for so long.